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Ceiling Tiles
Over the last few decades the use of ceiling tiles was primarily for
finishing basements. The plain or embossed 12 inch by 12 inch
ceiling tile is easy to install, does not require special equipment and
is relatively inexpensive.
The installation of ceiling tiles is definitely a diy home
handyman project that will become a valuable home improvement.
However, over the past 10 years ceiling tiles have changed in texture
and coloring and are now being used as a ceiling finishing material for
all the rooms in a home.
The vast majority of ceiling tiles are designed with a tongue and grove
and are made of fire resistant fiberboard. They are available in
12 inch by 12 inch and 12 inch by 24 inch units.
Click on picture for larger image.
Installing Ceiling Tiles:
Ceiling tiles can be installed with adhesive, if the ceiling is
currently made of a solid material such as drywall or they can be
stapled or nailed into position on furring strips if the currently
ceiling is open to the ceiling beams or if the material is not solid,
such as cracked and damaged drywall.
Cut tiles should be placed at the outside edges of the room. The
most pleasing aesthetic installation has the same size edge tiles at
sides and ends of the room. Keep edge tile size to an amount
greater than half a tile.
Measure the room at both ends and in the center. Use the smallest
dimension, in both directions to calculate the size of the edge tiles.
The dimension will most likely not be evenly divisible by 12 (the size
of one tile), hence a tile will have to be cut. In order to keep
the edge tiles larger than half a tile, use the inch amount and add 12
and divide by 2.
As an example if the room is 10 feet, 4 inches;
add 12 to the 4 which is 16 and divide by 2 which equals 8. Hence
the edge tiles on both sides will be approximately (because the room
will not be perfectly true) 8 inches.
Snap a chalk line at 8 inches along the length of the room and start
installing the tiles.
Note 1: If you are using furring strips,
it is important to calculate where the edges of the tiles will be before
installing the furring strips. The edges of the tiles must fall on
the face of the furring strip for a good installation.
Note 2: Both the length and the width of
the room must be calculated for edge tiles. Hence the first
corner tile may require cutting in both length and width.
Note 3: If you are installing a molding
around the outer perimeter of the ceiling, all edge tiles may be cut
using the formula as small gaps between the ceiling tile and walls will
be hidden by the molding. If you are not using a molding than all
the tiles must be cut to the exact width between the chalk line and the
wall.
Note 4: Cut the tiles, face side up using
a very sharp utility knife and a metal straight edge.
Note 5: The finished cut tile should have
the tongue and grove facing into the room to accept the next tiles.
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